If You Knew my Story is a fine song to start any musical and that’s just what begins the fine and dandy blue grass musical by Steve Martin and Eddie Brickell, BRIGHT STAR.
By the time this big, bold, bodacious musical is through, you’ll know the epic Southern gothic story of literary editor, Alice Murphy, her beau, Jimmy Ray, and the prodigious obstacles and pernicious behaviours they have to endure.
BRIGHT STAR is also the story of Billy Crane, his survival of the First World War and frog gigging and his ambition to become a writer.
Connection and separation snake through this narrative like a grand old opera with not only a banjo on the knee but a whole ensemble of fiddles, guitars, piano, squeeze box, spoons and more, performed by an outstanding cast.
Billy Crane is asked to cut a short story by three hundred words but no reviewer should have trouble filling three hundred words of praise for this zing along, toe tapping tale.
Billy Crane also uses the word propinquity to make a solid point in a story. The use of the word triggered thoughts of King Lear, where he disclaims paternal care, propinquity and property of blood to Cordelia. Lear like behaviour is expressed in most foul and frightful fatherhood by a truly catalyst character in BRIGHT STAR, in an act unfathomable.
There is definitely a dark side to the story but BRIGHT STAR is a beacon of hope signalled by the song Sun’s Gonna Shine, its claim to closeness, and the sheer joy, charm and grace of its staging.
Directed by Damien Ryan and Miranda Middleton with musical direction by Alec Steadman and featuring barn dance and jukebox jive choreography by Shannon Burns, BRIGHT STAR boasts brilliant set design by Isabel Hudson, lighting design by James Wallis and costumme design by Lily Mateljan, and a hugely talented and versatile ensemble.
BRIGHT STAR plays The Hayes till October 5.
